Category Archives: Recommendations

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, September 21:
BARBARA LEE: SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER

Director:
Abby Ginzberg

World Premiere:
San Francisco 2020 (unscreened)

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, San Francisco Jewish, Pan African, Cleveland

About:
A portrait of the outspoken US Congresswoman.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
An intimate, inspiring, and timely portrait of Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a true pioneer of American civil rights who was the lone voice in opposition to the authorization of military force after the September 11th attacks. A unique selection of political commentators, activists, politicians, and family members add depth to the story of the highest-ranking Black woman in the US Congress. Uncompromising and conscientious to the core, she is its most steadfast voice for peace, and for economic and racial justice.  

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, September 21:
DOWN A DARK STAIRWELL

Director:
Ursula Liang

World Premiere:
True/False 2020

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, New Orleans, Human Rights Watch, BlackStar, Los Angeles Asian Pacific, San Diego Asian, Montclair, Hot Springs Doc, Milwaukee, Ashland,

About:
A death in a Brooklyn housing project sets off a complex fight for justice by two marginalized communities.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
In 2014, Peter Liang, a Chinese-American police officer, shot and killed an innocent, unarmed Black man named Akai Gurley in the dark stairwell of a Brooklyn housing project. In the midst of high racial tension surrounding police conduct, Liang becomes the first NYPD officer to receive a guilty verdict in such a case in over a decade. The highly publicized incident polarizes New York’s Asian and African American communities in this insightful look into the complexities of police reform.

Coming to Epix this Sunday, September 19:
FIASCO

Showrunner:
John Marks

World Premiere:
Nantucket 2021

About:
Spanning continents and time zones, this docuseries, based on Leon Neyfakh’s hit podcast, dives into one of the least understood of all political scandals and reveals the true scope of Iran Contra.

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Thursday, September 16 and to virtual cinemas this Friday, September 17:
I AM NOT ALONE

Director:
Garin Hovannisian

World Premiere:
Toronto 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, AFI Fest, Palm Springs, Oxford, Thessaloniki Doc, Hong Kong

About:
An exploration of the 2018 Armenian revolution through the citizen activists who refused to accept it.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
In 2018, Armenia experienced a peaceful revolution that’s inspiring to anyone challenging power. Nikol Pashinyan—a former journalist and political prisoner turned Member of Parliament—begins a march by himself to protest Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan trying to extend the reach of his power. The film observes how Pashinyan’s campaign slowly grows from one person into a mass movement. Briskly paced and offering a balance of perspectives, Garin Hovannisian’s film is a feat of nonfiction storytelling.

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, September 14:
THE HUMAN FACTOR

Director:
Dror Moreh

World Premiere:
Telluride 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Hamptons, Chicago, AFI Fest, Philadelphia, Cork, Jerusalem, Woodstock, Savannah

About:
A look back at peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine in 2000 through the memories of American diplomats.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to NYC’s Rooftop Films tomorrow, Wednesday, September 15:
WE ARE THE THOUSAND

Director:
Anita Rivaroli

World Premiere:
SXSW 2020 (unscreened)

Select Festivals:
IDFA, Hot Docs, Melbourne, Docs Against Gravity

About:
An uplifting, inspiring, and emotional music documentary about a seemingly impossible plan to record a song by the Foo Fighters with a thousand musicians.

Coming to HBO Max this Wednesday, August 15:
A LA CALLE

Director:
Nelson G Navarrete, Maxx Caicedo

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2020

Select Festivals:
Docaviv, Human Rights Watch, Cleveland, Miamia, Movies That Matter, United Nations Association

About:
An on-the-ground account of the extraordinary efforts of ordinary Venezuelans to reclaim their democracy from the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Venezuela’s recent political upheavals are made vivid in Maxx Caicedo and Nelson G Navarrete’s film, whose title translates to “to the street.” Covering multiple perspectives in the tradition of epic documentaries such as THE SQUARE and WINTER ON FIRE, the film captures history unfolding over several years. The filmmakers gain close access to Leopoldo López, whose arrest and imprisonment inspires a national movement against the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro. This vital chronicle not only helps us understand Venezuela, it also exemplifies a spirit of resistance against corruption that is universally inspiring.

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, July 14:
CAN YOU BRING IT: BILL T JONES AND D-MAN IN THE WATERS

Director:
Rosalynde LeBlanc, Tom Hurwitz

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2020

Select Festivals:
Frameline, Vancouver, Milwaukee, SF Dance, Outshine Miami

About:
The story behind Bill T Jones and Arnie Zane’s titular performance piece on the devastation of AIDS.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to History this Sunday, September 12:
DESERT ONE

Director:
Barbara Kopple

World Premiere:
Toronto 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, AFI Fest, Double Exposure, Palm Springs, Full Frame, Big Sky Doc

About:
An up-close look at the mission to free American hostages during the 1979 Iranian revolution

I previously wrote about the doc here.